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Goodbye Yellow Brick Road [40th Anniversary Edition] Image
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 43 Ratings

  • Summary: The deluxe remastered release of the Rocket Man's 1973 album includes a disc of b-sides and covers by such artists as The Band Perry, Fall Out Boy, John Grant, Hunter Hayes, Imelda May, Miguel, Emili Sande, Ed Sheeran, and Zac Brown Band. The Super Deluxe adds a complete recording of theThe deluxe remastered release of the Rocket Man's 1973 album includes a disc of b-sides and covers by such artists as The Band Perry, Fall Out Boy, John Grant, Hunter Hayes, Imelda May, Miguel, Emili Sande, Ed Sheeran, and Zac Brown Band. The Super Deluxe adds a complete recording of the December 1973 Hammersmith concert and a DVD of Bryan Forbes' 1973 film, Elton John and Bernie Taupin Say Goodbye To Norma Jean and Other Things. Expand
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Mar 25, 2014
    100
    This welcome five-CD-plus-DVD expansion adds several non-LP singles; a new, nine-cut tribute set featuring contemporary fans from Miguel to Fall Out Boy (John Grant's sighing "Sweet Painted Lady" is the highlight); a vintage documentary about the album's creation; and, best of all, an explosive London concert that demonstrates how hard John and his kickass band could rock between eloquent ballads.
  2. Mar 19, 2014
    100
    A glittering glam-pop bounty of androgynous pop bots, dock prostitutes, Depression-era outlaws, cowboys and nun-baiting schoolgirls, GYBR remains a vital and versatile vision of brilliance that deserves to be heard.
  3. Uncut
    Mar 19, 2014
    90
    The larger-than-life Elton of the live stage gets a workout on "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" and "Benny And The Jets," pounding rockers on the most impressively diverse collection in his catalogued. [Apr 2014, p.91]
  4. Mar 25, 2014
    83
    An insanely confident effort that, 40 years on, still surprises in its sensitivity. Sequins and all.
  5. Mar 31, 2014
    80
    Packed with motifs and allusions to cinema, it’s also a subtle commentary on the singer’s stratospheric rise to superstardom, lyricist Bernie Taupin retrospectively suggesting disillusionment was a recurring theme.
  6. Q Magazine
    Mar 19, 2014
    80
    It's a good album. [Apr 2014, p.122]
  7. Mar 19, 2014
    70
    It’s a flawed album that’s at times unbelievable, at times unbelievably bad but for those interested in investigating the moment Elton John became the legend he sought to be this is a thorough and generous offering.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Jun 25, 2015
    10
    Ahhh the classics, This album really shows that Elton John is one of the greatest musicians of all time, great memorable songs that never getAhhh the classics, This album really shows that Elton John is one of the greatest musicians of all time, great memorable songs that never get old. One of the greatest albums I've ever listened to. Collapse
  2. Mar 27, 2014
    10
    It's an Elton classic. Elton is classic. It's logic folks. This LP has influenced dozens of artists in the past forty years and deserves aIt's an Elton classic. Elton is classic. It's logic folks. This LP has influenced dozens of artists in the past forty years and deserves a re-release as much as any other pop classic Expand
  3. Apr 15, 2016
    10
    Just amazing, what an amazing album for a music legend! These classics will always be perfect, no matter how many years pass. I think it'sJust amazing, what an amazing album for a music legend! These classics will always be perfect, no matter how many years pass. I think it's Elton John's best album and it seems like it's very hard to top that because Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is just a masterpiece, even people who don't like Elton John are loving it. Expand
  4. May 29, 2020
    10
    Elton's magnum opus is back in full force. The classics still remain as enticing as they were on release and the additional material adds more layers.
  5. Nov 20, 2021
    9
    The very first Elton album I listened to back in the day on cassette. Such a classic and will always be one of his best albums.